Temperature Formula
Introduction:
The reliable measure of heat is temperature. This means to measure the heat of an object, its temperature needs to be known. It is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. Temperature is measured using a device called the Thermometer.
There are several temperature scales used worldwide, including Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), and Kelvin (K). Here, we’ll discuss the formulas for converting between these temperature scales.
Formulas To convert temperature from:
Celsius to Fahrenheit:
The formula to convert temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit is:
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
In this formula, you multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 and then add 32 to obtain the equivalent Fahrenheit temperature.
Fahrenheit to Celsius:
The formula to convert temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius is:
°C = (°F – 32) × 5/9
To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, you subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and then multiply the result by 5/9.
Celsius to Kelvin:
The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale, where 0 Kelvin (0 K) corresponds to absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature). To convert from Celsius to Kelvin, you use the formula:
K = °C + 273.15
Simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature to obtain the equivalent temperature in Kelvin.
Kelvin to Celsius:
To convert from Kelvin to Celsius, you use the formula:
°C = K – 273.15
By subtracting 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature, you obtain the temperature in Celsius.
Note: The Celsius and Kelvin scales have the same magnitude of temperature units; the only difference is the zero point (absolute zero) and the starting point (freezing point of water) on the scales.
These temperature conversion formulas are essential for converting temperatures between different scales and are widely used in scientific, engineering, and everyday contexts.
Solved Examples on Temperature Formula:
Example 1: Convert 25 degrees Celsius to Fahrenheit.
Solution:
Using the Celsius to Fahrenheit formula:
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Substituting the given value:
°F = (25 × 9/5) + 32
°F = (225/5) + 32
°F = 45 + 32
°F = 77
Therefore, 25 degrees Celsius is equal to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Example 2: Convert 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius.
Solution:
Using the Fahrenheit to Celsius formula:
°C = (°F – 32) × 5/9
Substituting the given value:
°C = (98.6 – 32) × 5/9
°C = 66.6 × 5/9
°C = 333/9
°C ≈ 37.0
Therefore, 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is approximately equal to 37.0 degrees Celsius.
Example 3: Convert 300 Kelvin to Celsius.
Solution:
Using the Kelvin to Celsius formula:
°C = K – 273.15
Substituting the given value:
°C = 300 – 273.15
°C ≈ 26.85
Therefore, 300 Kelvin is approximately equal to 26.85 degrees Celsius.
Frequently Asked Questions on Temperature Formula:
1: What is temperature?
Answer: Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. It determines the hotness or coldness of an object or the environment.
2: How many types of temperature scales are there?
Answer: There are three main types of temperature scales: Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.
3: What are the common temperature scales?
Answer: Here are three commonly used temperature scales:
- Celsius (°C): The Celsius scale, also known as the centigrade scale, is based on the properties of water. On this scale, the freezing point of water is defined as 0°C, and the boiling point of water is defined as 100°C at standard atmospheric pressure.
- Fahrenheit (°F): The Fahrenheit scale is primarily used in the United States and a few other countries. It is based on a system developed by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit. On this scale, the freezing point of water is defined as 32°F, and the boiling point of water is defined as 212°F at standard atmospheric pressure.
- Kelvin (K): The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale commonly used in scientific and technical applications. It is based on the properties of absolute zero, which is the lowest possible temperature. On the Kelvin scale, the unit increment is the same size as the Celsius scale, with 0 K representing absolute zero. The Kelvin scale is used in many scientific calculations and is the primary temperature scale in physics.
4: What is the smallest temperature?
Answer: The smallest temperature is absolute zero, which is equivalent to 0 Kelvin or approximately -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, molecular motion comes to a complete halt, and it is considered the lowest possible temperature in the universe.
5: How is temperature used in everyday life?
Answer: Temperature is used in everyday life for a variety of purposes. It helps us determine what to wear based on the weather, set the temperature of our homes for comfort, monitor food storage and cooking temperatures for safety, and regulate the temperature of appliances and machinery. Temperature measurements also play a crucial role in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and meteorology.
6: How do I convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
Answer: To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, you can use the formula: °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32. Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 and then add 32 to obtain the equivalent Fahrenheit temperature.
7: How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Answer: To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, you can use the formula: °C = (°F – 32) × 5/9. Subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and then multiply the result by 5/9 to obtain the equivalent Celsius temperature.
8: Is there a limit to temperature?
Answer: There is no known theoretical limit to temperature, but practical limits exist based on material properties. Absolute zero (-273.15°C or 0 Kelvin) is the lowest achievable temperature, while the highest temperatures depend on system conditions and energy.
9: What are some practical applications of temperature conversion formulas?
Answer: Temperature conversion formulas are used in various fields, including scientific research, engineering, weather forecasting, cooking, and everyday life. They enable us to convert temperatures between different scales for better understanding and communication.
10: What is absolute zero?
Answer: Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, which is equivalent to 0 Kelvin (0 K) or approximately -273.15 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, the particles in a substance have the minimum possible kinetic energy.
11: How do I convert Celsius to Kelvin?
Answer: To convert Celsius to Kelvin, you can use the formula: K = °C + 273.15. Simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature to obtain the equivalent temperature in Kelvin.
12: How do I convert Kelvin to Celsius?
Answer: To convert Kelvin to Celsius, you can use the formula: °C = K – 273.15. Subtract 273.15 from the Kelvin temperature to obtain the equivalent temperature in Celsius.
